Microfiche recorder and processor

ABSTRACT

A microfiche recorder in which a platen is rectilinearly moved over a reference plate having an optical aperture through which images are projected onto film on the platen. A supply of recording film is stored on the platen for movement therewith to prevent film twisting and distortion. The platen moves slidably over the reference plate and vacuum ports in the platen retain the film section being exposed to the platen. When the platen is in its home or starting position, a reciprocating clamp grasps an edge of the exposed film, the vacuum is released and a predetermined length of film is drawn from the platen to thereby automatically reload the platen with fresh film for exposure. As soon as the exposed film section has been fully withdrawn from the platen, a cutter severs it from the remaining film. Thereafter, transport wheels grasp the film, the clamp releases and the film is transported into a chemical processor for developing so that the exposed film is ready for use substantially immediately after its exposure while a fresh film section is being exposed.

o United States Patent 1 1 1 3,746,444

Kahle et al. July 17, 1973 MICROFICHE RECORDER AND PrimaryExaminer-Samuel S. Matthews PROCESSOR 4 i94 Es mn R Wim [75] Inventors:Rolf D. Kahle,Saratog a; David K. g g Stephen Townsend Albert HlllmanStudley, Santa Clara; James D. Bryson, Sunnyvale, all of Calif. ABSTRACT[73] Assig n e f Bessemer Securities C 566 A microfiche recorder inwhich a platen is rectilinearly P M t i Vi c lifi moved over a referenceplate having an optical aperture through which images are projected ontofilm on Flled! 1971 the platen. A supply of recording film is stored onthe [21] Appl. N01: 201,642 platen for movement therewith to preventfilm twisting and distortion. The platen moves slidably over thereference plate and vacuum ports in the platen retain the [52] US. Cl.355/28, 355/54 film Section being exposed to the platem When the [5 lhit. Cl. G03b 27/46 platen is in its home or Starting position, areciprocating .[58] Fuel! of Search 355/53, 54, 46, 27, clamp graspsan df the exposed film, the vacuum 7 355/28 is released and a predeterminedlength of film is drawn 5 from the platen to thereby automaticallyreload the Reierences (med platen with fresh film for exposure. As soonas the ex- UNITED STATES PATENTS posed film section has been fullywithdrawn from the 3,591,282 7/1971 Renold 355154 P a cutter Severs itfrom the remaining film- 3,601.487 8/1971 Burton et a1 355/54Thereafter, transport wheels grasp the film, the clamp 3,627,413 12/1971Bushey et al. 1. 355/54 X releases and the film is transported into achemical pro- 8 1/1972 ington et a1. 355/5 X cessor for developing sothat the exposed film is ready for use substantially immediately afterits exposure ac 3,557,675 1/1971 14011 et al. 355/27 x whle a fresh filmSeem bemg expmd' 11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures CUTTER P CONTROL 92 76 7 5s o MAIN CAR M CONTROL LOADING gfihggl' CLAMP 52 CONTROL Y I 7 63-- l.s2 FILM ,96

X SERVO TRANSPORT 52 M 3 5 CONTROL CONTROL 36 1 f 62 :1 so 36 '1 J I6100 64 m s. M 7o m L... 22 1 94 /94 4 3 9 PROCESSING 1 5 1:1" 94 4:

memo m 1 1m SHEEI 2 (IF 3 1 MICROFICHE RECORDER AND. PROCESSORBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Data storage and retrieval today reliesheavily on microfiche recording of the data. Microfiche drasticallyreduces required storage space for the data, makes the data easilyaccessible and is relatively inexpensive.

For satisfactory operation, microfilm requires great recordingprecision. Prior art recorders physically moved the film in theX-direction by moving it relative to the platen using rollerdrives. Theplaten paper and the film are removed in the Y-direction. This makesaccurate positioning in the X-direction difficult. The film was suppliedfrom a storage reel usually mounted at about the mid-point of one of theX. or the Y direction movements to limit film distortion or twistingduring recordation. Frequently, the exposed film is taken up in anothercartridge. After a recording session is over, the exposed film issevered for developing. Each time this is done a substantial length offilm is wasted.

The recordation takes place on film sections of a predetermined size andis carried out in rectilinear fashion. When a film section is filledwith data, the film is advanced for data recordation on the next filmsection until the full length of film has been exposed. Thereafter, thefilm is developed and cut to size.

Prior art recorders have several shortcomings. A precise alignment ofthe tracks and the optics was frequently difficult to achieve andmaintain. The required high accuracy in focusing microfiche images couldthereby result in a compromised image quality. Film twistingduring'scanning could move the film section being exposed out ofregister resulting in inaccuracies SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention provides a microfiche recorder-processor which is of highaccuracy. to assure the recordation of substantially perfect microficheimages. Film being exposed remains in positive registration on the filmholder and does not move relative thereto. After full exposure of a filmsection, it is severed from the film supply. While the next film isbeing exposed, the first one is transported to a chemical processor fordevelopment so that the finished microfiche section of frame is readyfor use substantially immediately after completion of the recordation.The microfiche recorder-processor is also well adapted for hook-up withmagnetic data readout equipment.

In its broadest aspect, the microfiche recorderprocessor of the presentinvention comprises a flat, horizontal reference plate which has anaperture. Image producing and projecting means are disposed on anunderside of the reference plate and project images past the aperture toa focal plane above the plate. A platen or film holder with a flat filmsupport surface above the plate and means evenly biasing a film sectionagainst such surface for a fiat retention of the film on the surface ismounted to means which positions the surface parallel to the referenceplate at a distance from the plate placing a side of the film section inthe focal plane. The positioning means permits slidable movements of theplaten over the reference plate. Servo drive means engage the holder,position it at a fixed home position, and move the holder and the filmsection mounted thereto in rectilinear fashion over the aperture. A filmsupply spool is mounted to the platen for rectilinear movement therewithand is arranged to prevent film twisting and distortion during platenmovements. A reciprocable film clamp is disposed opposite the platen,withdraws an exposed film section from the surface and simultaneouslyadvances a fresh film section to the surface while the platen is in itshome position. A cutter severs the exposed and withdrawn film sectionfrom the remainder of the film. The severed section is then passed intoa chemical film processor for film developing so that the developed filmis ready for use substantially immediately after its exposure and whilea fresh film section is being exposed.

The slidable support of the platen for free movement over the supportplate, except as limited by the servo drive mechanism, makes theapparatus of the present invention both relatively inexpensive and ofthe highest possible accuracy to yield high quality image records. Thisquality is further enhanced by constructing the means retaining the filmsection to the holder as a vacuum system which biases the film againstthe flat supporting surface to prevent the formation of wrinkles,creases or unevenness so that the film is at all times po sitioned atthe precise focal plane of the projecting optics.

By mounting the film supply cartridge or wheel directly to therectilineraly moving platen, the film supply and the film section beingexposed remain fully stationary with respect to each other. Filmtwisting and distortion and the possible loss-of registration of thefilm in the holder as has happened with prior art systems are therebyprevented.

An exposed film section is removed from the holder by a high speedreciprocating clamp which grasps a protruding free end of the sectionand pulls it past the platen. As soon as the exposed film section hasbeen withdrawn, it is severed from the remainder of the film. Exposureof the fresh film section of the platen can commence the moment theexposed section has been severed.

The exposed section is then grasped by a suitable transport mechanismand advanced into a chemical film processor for developing anddischarge. Once discharged, the microfiche film is ready for use and/orduplication.

Once the recorder of this invention has been loaded with film,recordingcan take place on a continuing or intermittent basis. The recorder neednot be opened for developing the film and there is practically no wastedfilm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS and is taken approximately along line4-4 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM BODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 through3, a microfiche recording and processing system 6 constructed inaccordance with the invention broadly comprises a support struc ture 7on which there is mounted a reference plate 8. The plate has an aperture10, optics 12 disposed beneath the the horizontal plate, a platenassembly 14 disposed above the reference plate, a chemical filmprocessor 16 for developing exposed film, and transport means 18 formoving exposed film from the platen to the processor. The referenceplate forms the main support for the platen assembly.

Mounted beneath the reference plate as part of optics I2 is acathode-ray tube (CRT) 20 or a like optical device and a suitable lenssystem 22 that projects an image of the CRT screen through aperture in afocal plain 24 spaced above plate 8 a distance f.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, platen assembly 14 comprises a flatplaten 26 which has a film retaining underside 28 and which is carriedby a pair of L shaped legs 30. The L shaped legs terminate in flat ends32 that rest directly on top surface 34 of reference plate 8. The legshave a height so that the spacing between the top surface of the plateand underside 28 of platen 26 equals focal plane distance j plus thethickness t of film 36 retained to the underside of the platen.

The L" shaped legs have inwardly protruding ends 38 and they are spacedapart so that the legs in conjunction with underside 28 of platen 26define film guides 40. The film guides permit film 36 to movelongitudinally from one end of platen 26 to the other.

Platen 26 further includes a plurality of port holes 42 suitablyinterconnected by conduits 44 and equally distributed throughout theplaten underside. A flexible hose 46 is connected to a vacuum source 48.Suitable valving (not separately shown in the drawings) is provided forselectively subjecting port holes 42 to a vacuum and releasing thevacuum. When film 36 is held in guides 40 and vacuum is supplied to theport holes, the film is firmly biased against the flat underside ofplaten 26 and the emulsion side of the film is positioned in focal plane24. Consequently, images of the CRT projected through optical aperture10 are accurately focused on the film to assure high quality recordationof the images.

A supply of film is stored on a film storage reel in a film cartridge 50carried by support brackets 52 mounted to platen 26 so that the film onthe reel is aligned with film guides 40. Any movements of platenassembly 14 on plate 8 are duplicated by the film storage reel. Filmretained to platen underside 28, therefore, remains stationary withrespect to film on the storage reel. Twisting or distortion of film dueto relative movements between the film supply and the platen assemblyare thereby prevented.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a servo drive mechanism 54 is provided tomove platen assembly 14 in a rectilinear fashion. The servo drivecomprises an X-axis servo unit 56 and a Y-axis servo unit 58. Each servounit has a motor 60, a lead screw 62 engaged by respective first andsecond nuts 64 and 66 and a guide bar 63 slidably engaged by the nut.Perpendicular X and Y-axis tracks 68 and 70 are mounted to an upperside72 of platen 26. Nuts 64 and 66 have track engaging lower sections 74which render the nuts slidable along their respective tracks and rigidin directions perpendicular to the tracks.

A servo control 76 is suitably programmed or actuated by a main,computer operated control unit to always position platen assembly 14 atits home position (shown in FIG. 1 in phantom lines). The home positionis so selected that optical aperture 10 overlies the upper left-handextremity, as viewed in FIG. 1, of the film section on platen underside28. Thereafter, and in coordination with the formation of images on theCRT, the X and Y-axis servos 56 and 58 are intermittently energized toadvance the holder for linear recordation of images in lines which areparallel to the X-axis and spaced in the Y-axis. After the last line hasbeen exposed, the servo control returns the platen assembly to its homeposition.

During all movements of the platen assembly, platen 26 slidably moves onlegs 30 over upperside 34 of reference plate 8. The precision ground,flat top surface of the plate thereby assures that the film sectionbeing exposed remains always in the focal plane 24. To prevent wear onthe reference plate or on legs 30, the flat ends 32 of legs 30 and/ortop surface 34 of reference plate 8 can be coated with low frictionmaterials such as Tef- Ion.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, a reciprocating carriage 78 is movable alonga guide bar or track 79 aligned with, that is parallel with respect tofilm guides 40 of platen assembly 14. The carriage includes a film clamp80 actuated by an electro magnet 82. Suitable drive means (notseparately shown) reciprocate the carriage towards and away from a freefilm end 84.

A carriage and clamp control 86 is operated by main control 75 andoperates the carriage and clamp. When servo drive mechanism 54 returnsplaten assembly 14 to its home position, the clamp is opened and thecarriage is positioned adjacent free film end 84. The clamp is thenclosed to grasp the free film end and the vacuum in port holes 42 ofplaten 26 (shown in FIG. 3) is released. Thereupon, the carriage isdrawn tothe right, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4 away from platen assembly14. An exposed film section 88 is thereby withdrawn from beneath plateunderside 28. The carriage travel is adjusted so that it ceases when thefull length of the exposed fih'n section has been withdrawn. Thereupon,the vacuum in port holes 42 (FIG. 3) is re-applied to firmly bias afresh film section against platen underside 28.

Positioned adjacent, but spaced from platen 26 is a cutter 90. When theexposed film section 88 has been fully withdrawn from the platenassembly 14 and past a cutting plane of cutter 90, cutter controls 92,also operated by main control 75, energizes the cutter to sever theexposed film section from a remainder of the film. The cutter blades areimmediately withdrawn and a free film end 84 that is spaced from theadjacent end of platen 26 remains.

Thereafter, servo control 76 energizes the servo drive mechanism andimages to be recorded on the fresh film section are generated by CRT 20.

Simultaneously with the cut-off of the exposed film section 88, multiplesets of recilient transport wheels 94 disposed on both sides of theexposed, severed film section are biased against the film and each otherto firmly hold the film section. Once held by the transport wheels 94,carriage and clamp control 86 opens the clamp and releases the filmsection. Thereupon, a film transport controls 96, also operated by maincontrol 75, energizes transport wheels 94 to transport the exposed filmsection away from platen assembly 14 and into a schematicallyillustrated receiving slot 98 of film processor 16. Simultaneously withthe actuation of the transport wheels carriage and clamp 78, 80 aremoved out of the path of the film section. This movement can beaccomplished in a variety of ways as by raising or lowering the carriagewith suitably constructed mechanisms, swinging the carriage out of thepath or guiding the film section with sets of guide rolls over or underthe carriage and the clamp. Such constructions are readily within thepurview of those skilled in the art and, therefore, not furtherdescribed herein. After the film section has passed the carriage isreturned to adja cent platen 8 for grasping the next exposed filmsection.

Once the exposed film section is received in the processor, itconventionally passes through baths and treatment stations, is dried andthen discharged into a chute 100. The film is now ready for use and/orduplication.

The instant cutter 90 severs the exposed film section 88, and while theexposed section travels towards and through the film processor, therecordation of CRT images on the fresh film section retained to plateunderside 28 commences and continues. There is, therefore, no need forwaiting until all available-film sections have been exposed before allof them are simultaneously developed. Rather, film exposing anddeveloping are independent of each other to assure a high through-putrate and render each independent film section available for use in theshortest possible time.

Although the recorder of this invention has been shown and described ashaving a horizontally oriented reference plate on which the platenassembly slides, the reference plate can also be vertical. In such aconstruction, biasing means, such as springs disposed between the platenand the lead screw, or at a similarly appropriate place, would beprovided to press the platen assembly against the verticalreferenceplate.

I claim:

1. A microfiche recorder comprising a flat plate having an aperture, aplaten including a flat film mounting surface parallel to the plate, theplaten being slidably movable over a sufficient portion of the plate toposition substantially any area of the surface overthe aperture, a filmsupply reel mounted'to the platen for feeding film onto the surface andmoving the film supply with the platen, means formoving the platen in Xand in Y directions over the plate, optical means disposed on a side ofthe plate opposite the platen for forming an image adjacent the surfaceand focused in a plane of the film when film is placedagainstthesurface, vacuum forming means for firmlybiasingfilm against the platensurface to maintain the film flat in the focal plane, wherebyimages canbe sequentially recorded on the film after intermittent X-Y movements ofthe platen, and means for removingexposed film from the surface.

2. A recorder according to claim *1 wherein the plate is substantiallyhorizontal and the platen overlies the plate, wherein the film supportsurface faces downwardly towards the plate, and wherein the vacuumforming means includes a plurality of port holes distributed over thesurface and meansfor connecting the port holes to a vacuum and assuringa firm contact between the film and the surface.

3. A recorder according to claim 1 including cutting means for severingexposed film from a remainder of the film after the exposed film hasbeen removed from the surface.

4. A recorder according to claim 1 wherein the film removing meanscomprises clamp means for grasping a free end of the film supply, andmeans for moving the grasping means in one of the X or the Y directionsa predetermined distance to thereby pull a fixed length of filmincluding the exposed film past the surface for subsequent processing ofthe exposed film and for exposure of a fresh film length with theoptical means.

5. A microfilm recording system comprising a horizontally disposed fiatreference plate including an optical aperture, a film holding platenincluding means slidably engaging the plate and spacing a flat filmmounting surface of the platen from and parallel to the plate, means forsecurely biasing a length of film flat against mounting surface of theplaten, a film supply storage reel mounted to the platen for feedingfilm to the film retaining side of the platen, means for moving theplaten in perpendicular X and Y directions, means for projecting animage through the aperture onto the film and for focussing the image ina focal plane of the film retained to the surface, means forintermittently advancing exposed film sections away from the platen tothereby simultaneously advance a fresh, unexposed film section to theside, and means for thereafter severing the exposed section.

6. An optical recording system for recording projected images on a filmcomprising: a platen assembly having a flat underside and a plurality ofvacuum port holes on the underside for biasing film thereagainst andmaintaining it flat to assure high resolution'recording, at least onesupport member projecting from the side of the assembly and terminatingin a flat support surface that is parallel to the underside, a flatreference plate permitting uninhibited slidable motions of the member sothat substantially every portion of the film retained to the surface canbe exposed to an image focused above the plate, means formoving theassembly in X and Y directions over the plate, stationary meansprojecting the images from a side of the plate opposite the assembly,means for intermittently withdrawing exposed film sections from theunderside, and means for automatically passing exposed sections througha film processor for developing the film section for substantiallyimmediate use after recordation on the section while a fresh section onthe underside is being exposed to the images.

7. A system for the recordation of microfiche images on film sections ofa predetermined size comprising a relatively large, flat reference plateincluding at least one optical aperture, light display means beneath theplate and lens means for forming an image of the display means above theplate, a relatively small platen disposed above the plate and having aflat underside parallel to theplate 'for positioning a film section inthe focal plane of the lens means, the platenhaving downwardly extendingmembers freely slidable over the plate, means coupledto the platen formoving it in perpendicular X-Ydirections, the moving means includingmeans limiting the slidable movement of the platen on theplate sothat'the imageprojected by the lens means always-falls on a portion-ofthe film section, a continuous length film mounted to the platen forfeeding film to beneath the platen, means for retaining a film sectionadvanced from the film supply immovably and flat to the underside of theplaten, the moving means further including means for positioning theplaten in a home or starting position, a linearly movable carriageadjacent the platen having clamp means for grasping a free end of thefilm section, means for moving the carriage and the grasped section awayfrom the platen to thereby automatically advance a fresh film section tobeneath the platen, means to thereafter sever the exposed film sectionfrom the fresh section, a film processor for developing the section, andmeans for transporting the severed exposed section to the processor.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the severing means sever theexposed section at a point spaced from the platen to provide a free filmend which protrudes from the platen.

9. A system according to claim 7 including means for substantiallyevenly biasing all parts of the section against the underside of theplaten.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein the biasing means comprises aplurality of vacuum ports distributed over and terminating at theunderside of the platen, and a vacuum source connected with the ports.

11. A microfiche recording and processing unit comprising a flat,horizontal reference plate including aperture means, image producing andprojecting means on an underside of the plate projecting an image pastthe aperture means to a focal plane above the plate, film holding meansdefining a flat film support surface above the plate, means for evenlybiasing a film section against such surface for a flat retention of thefilm on the surface, means positioning the surface parallel to the plateat a distance from the plate placing a side of the section in the focalplane, the positioning means permitting slidable movements of thesurface defining means over the plate, servo drive means engaging thesurface defining means and positioning the surface defining means at afixed home position, the servo drive means being operable for moving thesurface defining means and the film section mounted thereto inrectilinear fashion over the aperture means, a film supply spool mountedto the surface defining means for rectilinear movement therewith andarranged to prevent film twisting and distortion during such movement,

means disposed opposite the film holding means for clamping a film end,means for reciprocating the clamping means a predetermined distance towithdraw an exposed film section from the surface and simultaneouslyadvance a fresh film section to the surface when the surface definingmeans is in its home position, means for severing the exposed andwithdrawn film section from the remainder of the film, a chemical filmprocessor, and means for passing the exposed film section into thechemical processor for film developing and use of the developed filmsubstantially immediately after its exposure and while a fresh filmsection is being exposed.

1. A microfiche recorder comprising a flat plate having an aperture, aplaten including a flat film mounting surface parallel to the plate, theplaten being slidably movable over a sufficient portion of the plate toposition substantially any area of the surface over the aperture, a filmsupply reel mounted to the platen for feeding film onto the surface andmoving the film supply with the platen, means for moving the platen in Xand in Y directions over the plate, optical means disposed on a side ofthe plate opposite the platen for forming an image adjacent the surfaceand focused in a plane of the film when film is placed against thesurface, vacuum forming means for firmly biasing film against the platensurface to maintain the film flat in the focal plane, whereby images canbe sequentially recorded on the film after intermittent X-Y movements ofthe platen, and means for removing exposed film from the surface.
 2. Arecorder according to claim 1 wherein the plate is substantiallyhorizontal and the platen overlies the plate, wherein the film supportsurface faces downwardly towards the plate, and wherein the vacuumforming means includes a plurality of port holes distributed over thesurface and means for connecting the port holes to a vacuum and assuringa firm contact between the film and the surface.
 3. A recorder accordingto claim 1 including cutting means for severing exposed film from aremainder of the film after the exposed film has been removed from thesurface.
 4. A recorder according to claim 1 wherein the film removingmeans comprises clamp means for grasping a free end of the film supply,and means for moving the grasping means in one of the X or the Ydirections a predetermined distance to thereby pull a fixed length offilm including the exposed film past the surface for subsequentprocessing of the exposed film and for exposure of a fresh film lengthwith the optical means.
 5. A microfilm recording system comprising ahorizontally disposed flat reference plate including an opticalaperture, a film holding platen including means slidably engaging theplate and spacing a flat film mounting surface of the platen from andparallel to the plate, means for securely biasing a length of film flatagainst mounting surface of the platen, a film supply storage reelmounted to the platen for feeding film to the film retaining side of theplaten, means for moving the platen in perpendicular X and Y directions,means for projecting an image througH the aperture onto the film and forfocussing the image in a focal plane of the film retained to thesurface, means for intermittently advancing exposed film sections awayfrom the platen to thereby simultaneously advance a fresh, unexposedfilm section to the side, and means for thereafter severing the exposedsection.
 6. An optical recording system for recording projected imageson a film comprising: a platen assembly having a flat underside and aplurality of vacuum port holes on the underside for biasing filmthereagainst and maintaining it flat to assure high resolutionrecording, at least one support member projecting from the side of theassembly and terminating in a flat support surface that is parallel tothe underside, a flat reference plate permitting uninhibited slidablemotions of the member so that substantially every portion of the filmretained to the surface can be exposed to an image focused above theplate, means for moving the assembly in X and Y directions over theplate, stationary means projecting the images from a side of the plateopposite the assembly, means for intermittently withdrawing exposed filmsections from the underside, and means for automatically passing exposedsections through a film processor for developing the film section forsubstantially immediate use after recordation on the section while afresh section on the underside is being exposed to the images.
 7. Asystem for the recordation of microfiche images on film sections of apredetermined size comprising a relatively large, flat reference plateincluding at least one optical aperture, light display means beneath theplate and lens means for forming an image of the display means above theplate, a relatively small platen disposed above the plate and having aflat underside parallel to the plate for positioning a film section inthe focal plane of the lens means, the platen having downwardlyextending members freely slidable over the plate, means coupled to theplaten for moving it in perpendicular X-Y directions, the moving meansincluding means limiting the slidable movement of the platen on theplate so that the image projected by the lens means always falls on aportion of the film section, a continuous length film mounted to theplaten for feeding film to beneath the platen, means for retaining afilm section advanced from the film supply immovably and flat to theunderside of the platen, the moving means further including means forpositioning the platen in a home or starting position, a linearlymovable carriage adjacent the platen having clamp means for grasping afree end of the film section, means for moving the carriage and thegrasped section away from the platen to thereby automatically advance afresh film section to beneath the platen, means to thereafter sever theexposed film section from the fresh section, a film processor fordeveloping the section, and means for transporting the severed exposedsection to the processor.
 8. A system according to claim 7 wherein thesevering means sever the exposed section at a point spaced from theplaten to provide a free film end which protrudes from the platen.
 9. Asystem according to claim 7 including means for substantially evenlybiasing all parts of the section against the underside of the platen.10. A system according to claim 9 wherein the biasing means comprises aplurality of vacuum ports distributed over and terminating at theunderside of the platen, and a vacuum source connected with the ports.11. A microfiche recording and processing unit comprising a flat,horizontal reference plate including aperture means, image producing andprojecting means on an underside of the plate projecting an image pastthe aperture means to a focal plane above the plate, film holding meansdefining a flat film support surface above the plate, means for evenlybiasing a film section against such surface for a flat retention of thefilm on the surface, means positioning the surface parallel to the plateat a dIstance from the plate placing a side of the section in the focalplane, the positioning means permitting slidable movements of thesurface defining means over the plate, servo drive means engaging thesurface defining means and positioning the surface defining means at afixed home position, the servo drive means being operable for moving thesurface defining means and the film section mounted thereto inrectilinear fashion over the aperture means, a film supply spool mountedto the surface defining means for rectilinear movement therewith andarranged to prevent film twisting and distortion during such movement,means disposed opposite the film holding means for clamping a film end,means for reciprocating the clamping means a predetermined distance towithdraw an exposed film section from the surface and simultaneouslyadvance a fresh film section to the surface when the surface definingmeans is in its home position, means for severing the exposed andwithdrawn film section from the remainder of the film, a chemical filmprocessor, and means for passing the exposed film section into thechemical processor for film developing and use of the developed filmsubstantially immediately after its exposure and while a fresh filmsection is being exposed.